Kyle Thomas (influencer)
 | This article is missing information about Thomas' controversies regarding exotic pets and his failed attempt to establish a zoo. (November 2024) |
Kyle Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 2004 (age 20) Kent, England |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Known for | Rescued animals |
| Mother | Zena Foord |
TikTok information | |
| Page | |
| Followers | 35.3 million |
| Likes | 1.6 billion |
Last updated: 31 August 2023 | |
Kyle Thomas (born September 2004) is a British social media personality. He often posts videos about rescued animals. He began posting on TikTok in 2019, and as of 2023, he is estimated to be one of the highest-earning UK content creators on the platform.
Career
[edit]TikTok
[edit]Thomas began posting to TikTok in 2019,[1] which is now his main focused platform, after already gaining some followers on Instagram.[2] He often produces content featuring rescued animals, including his meerkat Mylo.[3] He is also known for comedy sketches, dancing, and food reviews.[4]
Thomas has been known to post around 60 videos a week, and has previously uploaded 25 videos in a single day to his various social media channels.[5]
In 2021, Thomas participated in a TikTok pop-up venue in Westfield shopping centre offering sessions on how to become an influencer, and what it's like creating for the platform.[6][7]
It is estimated that he is the #1 highest earning TikTok personality in the United Kingdom.[8][9][10]
TV
[edit]Thomas has had a number of TV interviews including one with ITV where he confirmed that he has a comfortable income from his work, which resulted in the presenters being criticised online for that line of questions.[11] He has also expressed interest in running an animal-based TV show.[1]
Books
[edit]Thomas released a book titled "Guardian of the Realm" about him and his pet meerkat Mylo.[3] The book was written by Thomas and illustrated by Amrit Birdi, the Number 1 Sunday Times best selling Comic Book Artist.[12]
Personal life
[edit]Thomas was born in Kent in September 2004, but is now based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He left school aged 16 to focus on his social media career.[2][5]
In August 2023, Thomas's mother, Zena Foord, faced legal consequences when she was found guilty of smuggling a capybara from England to Northern Ireland. The operation involved collaboration with a pet shop owner named Michael Dickinson and a man named James Hammond, who transported the animal. Foord, Dickinson, and Hammond were apprehended and admitted guilt during their appearance at Lisburn Magistrate's Court. They received two-year conditional discharges but were not sentenced to jail time.[13] The capybara, named "Queen Elizabeth," was often featured on Thomas's TikTok account.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Who is TikTok star Kyle Thomas?". LADbible. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Belfast-based TikTok star Kyle Thomas's 'absolutely crazy' rise to millions of followers". UTV. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Meet Kyle Thomas: The most followed British TikToker of all time". The Tab. 16 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Bryant, Toby (19 July 2021). "The Kent TikTok teen making £38k with every single post". KentLive. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ a b Rewcastle, Elly (17 October 2022). "This teenage TikTok influencer has 33m followers and 25 pets". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Butler, Sarah (12 July 2021). "TikTok pop-up venue to open at Westfield London". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Westfield shopping centre opens TikTok pop-up venue". RetailDetail EU. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Sacco, Dom (25 March 2023). "Top 10 highest-earning TikTok content creators in the UK". esports-news.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Who is Kyle Thomas on TikTok and what is his net worth?". Peeblesshire News. 16 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Meet the UK's highest earning TikTok teenager, Kyle Thomas!". ITV. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Sansome, Jessica (15 August 2022). "This Morning viewers blast Andi Peters for 'rude' questioning of TikTok star". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Thomas, Kyle; Reppion, John; Moore, Leah (21 July 2022). Guardian of the Realm. Illustrated by Amrit Birdi.
- ^ Crisp, James (17 August 2023). "Brexit border row over capybara smuggled from England to Northern Ireland". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Sandlin, Jennifer (30 December 2022). "Watch a capybara named Queen Elizabeth eating fruits and veg". Boing Boing. Retrieved 31 August 2023.